Wireless multicast proxy

ABSTRACT

Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise: an input circuit adapted to receive a first packet of data, wherein the first packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address; a controller adapted to identify one or more wireless clients based on the IP multicast destination address and unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients; a packet circuit adapted to generate one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and a wireless output circuit adapted to wirelessly transmit the one or more second packets of the data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/867329, filed on Feb. 7, 2007, the disclosure thereof incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to data communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless multicast proxy.

Wireless local-area networks (WLANs) are increasingly popular for distributing data within the home. Furthermore, broadband Internet media delivery services are becoming increasingly popular in the home. Many of these services, such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), use multicast packets for transport of the media data. However, because multicast packets are not acknowledged in a WLAN, the multicast packets are subject to a high error rate. This high error rate significantly reduces the quality of the media, and so renders WLANs unsuitable for distributing multicast packets of media.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: an input circuit adapted to receive a first packet of data, wherein the first packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address; a controller adapted to identify one or more wireless clients based on the IP multicast destination address and unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients; a packet circuit adapted to generate one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and a wireless output circuit adapted to wirelessly transmit the one or more second packets of the data.

Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise a multicast snoop circuit adapted to generate a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the controller identifies the one or more wireless clients based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data. In some embodiments, the multicast snoop circuit generates the table based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients. Some embodiments comprise a wireless access point comprising the apparatus. In some embodiments, the wireless access point is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: input means for receiving a first packet of data, wherein the first packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address; controller means for identifying one or more wireless clients based on the IP multicast destination address and unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients; packet means for generating one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and wireless output means for wirelessly transmitting the one or more second packets of the data.

Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise multicast snoop means for generating a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the controller means identifies the one or more wireless clients based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data. In some embodiments, the multicast snoop means generates the table based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients. Some embodiments comprise a wireless access point comprising the apparatus. In some embodiments, the wireless access point is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a method comprising: receiving a first packet of data, wherein the first packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address; identifying one or more wireless clients based on the IP multicast destination address and unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients; generating one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and wirelessly transmitting the one or more second packets of the data.

Embodiments of the method can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise generating a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the one or more wireless clients are identified based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data. In some embodiments, the table is generated based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients. In some embodiments, the method is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a computer program executable on a processor, the computer program comprising: instructions for identifying one or more wireless clients based on unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients and an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address in a first packet; instructions for generating one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and instructions for causing wireless transmission of the one or more second packets of the data.

Embodiments of the computer program can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise instructions for generating a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the one or more wireless clients are identified based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data. In some embodiments, the table is generated based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients. In some embodiments, the computer program is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: a wireless input circuit adapted to wirelessly receive a packet of data, wherein the packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; an address conversion circuit adapted to generate a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast destination address; an address replacement circuit adapted to replace the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and an output circuit adapted to transmit the packet of data.

Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the address conversion circuit replaces bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address. Some embodiments comprise a wireless client comprising the apparatus. In some embodiments, the wireless client is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: wireless input means for wirelessly receiving a packet of data, wherein the packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; address conversion means for generating a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast destination address; address replacement means for replacing the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and output means for transmitting the packet of data.

Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the address conversion means replaces bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address. Some embodiments comprise a wireless client comprising the apparatus. In some embodiments, the wireless client is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n,802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a method comprising: wirelessly receiving a packet of data into an apparatus, wherein the packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; generating a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast destination address; replacing the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and transmitting the packet of data from the apparatus.

Embodiments of the method can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise replacing bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address. In some embodiments, the method is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

Some embodiments comprise a computer program executable on a processor, the computer program comprising: instructions for generating a multicast MAC address based on an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address, wherein an apparatus receives a packet of data, wherein the packet has the IP multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; instructions for replacing the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and instructions for causing transmission of the packet of data from the apparatus.

Embodiments of the computer program can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise instructions for replacing bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address. In some embodiments, the computer program is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a wireless packet comprising: a header comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) destination address comprising an IP multicast address, and a Media Access Control (MAC) destination address comprising a MAC unicast address; and a payload.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a data communication system including a wireless multicast proxy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a wireless multicast proxy process for the data communication system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the format of a wireless unicast packet transmitted wirelessly by the wireless multicast proxy of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a state machine for the multicast snoop circuit of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a process for recreating the multicast address for a unicast packet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the recreation of a multicast address for a unicast packet.

FIGS. 7A-7E show various exemplary implementations of the present invention.

The leading digit(s) of each reference numeral used in this specification indicates the number of the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless multicast proxy to receive Internet Protocol (IP) multicast packets of data, identify wireless clients for the data, and wirelessly transmit unicast packets of the data to the wireless clients. The wireless clients for the data can be identified based on a multicast table relating media access control (MAC) addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses. The wireless multicast proxy can include a multicast snoop circuit to generate the multicast table by snooping Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages transmitted by the wireless clients. The proxy can be implemented as part of a wireless access point, which can be compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

FIG. 1 shows a data communication system 100 including a wireless multicast proxy 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although in the described embodiments, the elements of data communication system 100 are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein. For example, the elements of data communication system 100 can be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof.

In data communication system 100, wireless multicast proxy 102 is implemented as part of a wireless access point 104 in communication with one or more wireless clients 106A-N over a wireless local-area network (WLAN) 108. However, in other embodiments, wireless multicast proxy 102 need not be implemented as part of a wireless access point 104. In addition, the wireless network need not be implemented as a WLAN 108.

Each wireless client 106 communicates with a client device 110. For example, wireless client 106A communicates with a digital television (DTV) 110A, while wireless client 106N communicates with a personal computer (PC) 110N. Client devices 110 can be used to render media data sent by wireless multicast proxy 110. For example, DTV 110A can present audio and video based on packets of media data such as IPTV and the like.

Wireless multicast proxy 102 includes a controller 126, a multicast snoop circuit 128, a memory 136, and a packet circuit 140. Memory 136 stores a multicast table 138 relating Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of wireless clients 106 with multicast IP addresses, as described below. Wireless multicast proxy 102 also includes a wired interface 112 in communication with a router 114, and a wireless interface 116 in communication with WLAN 108. Router 114 communicates with a media server 130 over a wide-area network (WAN) 132 such as the Internet. Wired interface 112 includes a wired input circuit 118 and a wired output circuit 120. Wired interface 112 can be implemented as an Ethernet port or the like. Wireless interface 116 includes a wireless input circuit 122 and a wireless output circuit 124. Wireless interface 116 can be compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.

In some embodiments, it is desirable to convert the unicast MAC destination address of a packet received from wireless multicast proxy 102 to a multicast MAC address. In those embodiments, a wireless client 106 can include an address conversion circuit 142 to generate a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast address of the packet, and an address replacement circuit 144 to replace the unicast MAC destination address with the multicast MAC address, as discussed below.

FIG. 2 shows a wireless multicast proxy process 200 for data communication system 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although in the described embodiments, the elements of process 200 are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein. For example, in various embodiments, some or all of the steps of process 200 can be executed in a different order, concurrently, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, wireless multicast proxy 102 receives a packet of data on wired interface 112 (step 202). In particular, wired input circuit 118 of wired interface 112 receives the packet of data from WAN 132. Controller 126 of wireless multicast proxy 102 determines whether the packet is an IP multicast packet (step 204), that is, whether the packet has an IP multicast destination address. If the packet is not an IP multicast packet, wireless multicast proxy 102 processes the packet normally (step 206). For example, the packet is sent by wireless interface 116 to the destination wireless client 106.

But if the packet is an IP multicast packet, wireless multicast proxy 102 determines whether the IP multicast address of the IP multicast packet is listed in multicast table 138 (step 208). Table I shows an example multicast table 138.

TABLE 1 Multicast IP Address Unicast MAC Address Multicast IP Address 1 Count 1 <number of MAC addresses> Unicast MAC Address 1 Unicast MAC Address 2 Unicast MAC Address 3 Multicast IP Address 2 Count 2 <number of MAC addresses> Unicast MAC Address 4 Unicast MAC Address 5

Referring to the example multicast table 138 of Table 1, for each multicast group, Table 1 lists the IP multicast address, the number of unicast MAC addresses in the multicast group, and the unicast MAC addresses. Of course, multicast table 138 can have arrangements other than that shown in Table 1. Multicast table 138 can be populated in any manner. In some embodiments, multicast table 138 is populated by snooping traffic, as described below.

Referring again to FIG. 2, if the IP multicast destination address of the IP multicast packet is not listed in multicast table 138, wireless multicast proxy 102 drops the IP multicast packet (step 210). In other embodiments, wireless multicast proxy 102 can take other actions instead, for example by forwarding the IP multicast packet to WLAN 108 and the like.

But if the IP multicast destination address of the IP multicast packet is listed in multicast table 138, wireless multicast proxy 102 identifies one or more wireless clients 106 based on the IP multicast packet, and transmits a respective wireless unicast packet of the data in the IP multicast packet to each of the identified wireless clients. In particular, controller 126 of wireless multicast proxy 102 selects a unicast MAC address corresponding to the IP multicast address of the IP multicast packet from multicast table 138 (step 212). Packet circuit 140 makes a copy of the IP multicast packet (step 214) and inserts the selected unicast MAC address as the destination MAC address (step 216). Wireless output circuit 124 of wireless interface 116 wirelessly transmits the resulting packet (step 218). For example, referring to Table 1, if the IP multicast address is Multicast IP Address 1, wireless multicast proxy 102 selects Unicast MAC Address 1, and wirelessly transmits a copy of the IP multicast packet having Unicast MAC Address 1 as the MAC destination address.

FIG. 3 shows the format of a wireless unicast packet 300 transmitted wirelessly by wireless multicast proxy 102 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, wireless unicast packet 300 includes a header 302 comprising an IP destination address 304 and a MAC destination address 306, and a payload 308. IP destination address 304 includes an IP multicast address 310. MAC destination address 306 includes a MAC unicast address 312.

Referring again to FIG. 2, controller 126 then determines whether any unicast MAC addresses remain in the multicast group (step 220). For each remaining unicast MAC address in the multicast group, wireless multicast proxy 102 generates and sends a wireless unicast packet of the data in the IP multicast packet where the wireless unicast packet has that unicast MAC address as the destination MAC address (repeating steps 212-218). When no unicast MAC addresses remain in the multicast group, process 200 is done (step 222).

As mentioned above, multicast snoop circuit 128 of wireless multicast proxy 102 can populate and maintain multicast table 138 by snooping traffic on WLAN 108. FIG. 4 shows a state machine 400 for multicast snoop circuit 128 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, multicast snoop circuit 128 snoops for IGMP request packets (at 402). Wireless clients 106 transmit IGMP request packets in order to join multicast groups, as is well-known in the relevant arts. When an IGMP request packet is received from a wireless client 106 (at 404), multicast snoop circuit 128 enables multicast traffic for that wireless client 106 (at 406). For example, if multicast table 138 does not contain an entry for the wireless client 106 in the multicast group, multicast snoop circuit 128 adds an entry to multicast table 138 and starts a timeout timer for the wireless client 106. But if multicast table 138 already contains an entry for the wireless client 106 in the multicast group, multicast snoop circuit 128 simply re-starts the timeout timer for the wireless client 106.

As long as the timeout timer is reset before expiring (at 408), multicast snoop circuit 128 keeps multicast traffic enabled for wireless client 106 (at 406). But if the timeout timer for the wireless client 106 in the multicast group expires (at 410), or if a IGMP leave message is received from the wireless client 106 for the multicast group (at 412), multicast snoop circuit 128 disables the wireless client 106 in the multicast group (at 414), for example by removing the entry for the wireless client 106 in the multicast group from multicast table 138. Multicast snoop circuit 128 continues to snoop for IGMP request packets (returning to 402).

In some cases it is desirable for wireless clients 106 to recreate the multicast address for unicast packets received from wireless multicast proxy 102 before forwarding the packets to client devices 110. For example, a client device 110 can include a switch, or an application executing on a client device 110 may not accept a unicast address. FIG. 5 shows a process 500 for recreating the multicast address for a unicast packet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a wireless client 106 receives a packet (step 502), and checks the IP destination address of the packet (step 504). If the packet is not a multicast IP packet (step 506), wireless client 106 transmits the packet to one or more client devices 110 (step 508). But if the packet is a multicast IP packet, wireless client 106 recreates the multicast MAC address from the multicast IP address (step 510) before transmitting the packet to client device(s) 110 (step 508). Referring to FIG. 1, address conversion circuit 142 generates a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast destination, and address replacement circuit 144 replaces the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address. FIG. 6 illustrates the recreation of a multicast address for a unicast packet. Referring to FIG. 6, the low-order 23 bits of the class D IP address are copied to bits 26-48 of the Ethernet multicast address, as is well-known in the relevant arts.

FIGS. 7A-7E show various exemplary implementations of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 7A, the present invention can be implemented in a high definition television (HDTV) 712. The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7A at 713, a WLAN interface 717 and/or mass data storage 718 of the HDTV 712. The HDTV 712 receives HDTV input signals in either a wired or wireless format and generates HDTV output signals for a display 714. In some implementations, signal processing circuit and/or control circuit 713 and/or other circuits (not shown) of the HDTV 712 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other type of HDTV processing that may be required.

The HDTV 712 may communicate with mass data storage 715 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The HDTV 712 may be connected to memory 716 such as RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The HDTV 712 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 717.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, the present invention implements a control system of a vehicle 718, a WLAN interface 727 and/or mass data storage 725 of the vehicle control system. In some implementations, the present invention implements a powertrain control system 719 that receives inputs from one or more sensors such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors and/or any other suitable sensors and/or that generates one or more output control signals such as engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, and/or other control signals.

The present invention may also be implemented in other control systems 722 of the vehicle 718. The control system 722 may likewise receive signals from input sensors 723 and/or output control signals to one or more output devices 724. In some implementations, the control system 722 may be part of an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a vehicle telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, a vehicle entertainment system such as a stereo, DVD drive, compact disc system and the like. Still other implementations are contemplated.

The powertrain control system 719 may communicate with mass data storage 725 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage 725 may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices including HDDs and/or DVD drives. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The powertrain control system 719 may be connected to memory 726 such as RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The powertrain control system 719 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 727. The control system 722 may also include mass data storage, memory and/or a WLAN interface (all not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 7C, the present invention can be implemented in a cellular phone 728 that may include a cellular antenna 729. The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7C at 730, a WLAN interface 737 and/or mass data storage 735 of the cellular phone 728. In some implementations, the cellular phone 728 includes a microphone 731, an audio output 732 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display 733 and/or user input device 734 such as a keypad, pointing device, and/or voice actuation, for example. The signal processing and/or control circuits 730 and/or other circuits (not shown) in the cellular phone 728 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other cellular phone functions.

The cellular phone 728 may communicate with mass data storage 735 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices including HDDs and/or DVD drives. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The cellular phone 728 may be connected to memory 736 such as RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The cellular phone 728 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 737.

Referring now to FIG. 7D, the present invention can be implemented in a set top box 738. The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7D at 739, a WLAN interface 743 and/or mass data storage 741 of the set top box 738. The set top box 738 receives signals from a source such as a broadband source and outputs standard and/or high definition audio/video signals suitable for a display 740 such as a television, a monitor and/or other video and/or audio output devices. The signal processing and/or control circuits 739 and/or other circuits (not shown) of the set top box 738 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other set top box functions.

The set top box 738 may communicate with mass data storage 743 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage 743 may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices including HDDs and/or DVD drives. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The set top box 738 may be connected to memory 742 such as RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The set top box 738 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 743.

Referring now to FIG. 7E, the present invention can be implemented in a media player 744. The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7E at 745, a WLAN interface 751 and/or mass data storage 749 of the media player 744. In some implementations, the media player 744 includes a display 746 and/or a user input 747 such as a keypad, touchpad and the like. In some implementations, the media player 744 may employ a graphical user interface (GUI) that typically employs menus, drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interface via the display 746 and/or user input 747. The media player 744 further includes an audio output 748 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack. The signal processing and/or control circuits 745 and/or other circuits (not shown) of the media player 744 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other media player functions.

The media player 744 may communicate with mass data storage 749 that stores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in a nonvolatile manner. In some implementations, the compressed audio files include files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitable compressed audio and/or video formats. The mass data storage 749 may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices including HDDs and/or DVD drives. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The media player 744 may be connected to memory 750 such as RAM, ROM, nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The media player 744 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 751. Still other implementations in addition to those described above are contemplated.

Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of the invention can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. The invention can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An apparatus comprising: an input circuit adapted to receive a first packet of data, wherein the first packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address; a controller adapted to identify one or more wireless clients based on the IP multicast destination address and unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients; a packet circuit adapted to generate one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and a wireless output circuit adapted to wirelessly transmit the one or more second packets of the data.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a multicast snoop circuit adapted to generate a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the controller identifies the one or more wireless clients based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2: wherein the multicast snoop circuit generates the table based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients.
 4. A wireless access point comprising the apparatus of claim
 1. 5. The wireless access point of claim 4, wherein the wireless access point is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.
 6. A method comprising: receiving a first packet of data, wherein the first packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address; identifying one or more wireless clients based on the IP multicast destination address and unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients; generating one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and wirelessly transmitting the one or more second packets of the data.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: generating a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the one or more wireless clients are identified based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data.
 8. The method of claim 7: wherein the table is generated based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the method is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.
 10. A computer program executable on a processor, the computer program comprising: instructions for identifying one or more wireless clients based on unicast media access control (MAC) addresses of the one or more wireless clients and an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address in a first packet; instructions for generating one or more second packets of the data, wherein each of the second packets has one of the unicast MAC addresses as a MAC destination address; and instructions for causing wireless transmission of the one or more second packets of the data.
 11. The computer program of claim 10, further comprising: instructions for generating a table relating the MAC addresses of the wireless clients with multicast IP addresses; wherein the one or more wireless clients are identified based on the table and the IP multicast address of the first packet of the data.
 12. The computer program of claim 11: wherein the table is generated based on Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages received from the wireless clients.
 13. The computer program of claim 10, wherein the computer program is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.
 14. An apparatus comprising: a wireless input circuit adapted to wirelessly receive a packet of data, wherein the packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; an address conversion circuit adapted to generate a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast destination address; an address replacement circuit adapted to replace the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and an output circuit adapted to transmit the packet of data.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14: wherein the address conversion circuit replaces bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address.
 16. A wireless client comprising the apparatus of claim
 14. 17. The wireless client of claim 16, wherein the wireless client is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.
 18. A method comprising: wirelessly receiving a packet of data into an apparatus, wherein the packet has an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; generating a multicast MAC address based on the IP multicast destination address; replacing the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and transmitting the packet of data from the apparatus.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: replacing bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the method is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.
 21. A computer program executable on a processor, the computer program comprising: instructions for generating a multicast MAC address based on an Internet Protocol (IP) multicast destination address, wherein an apparatus receives a packet of data, wherein the packet has the IP multicast address as an IP destination address and a unicast media access control (MAC) address of the apparatus as a MAC destination address; instructions for replacing the MAC destination address of the packet with the multicast MAC address; and instructions for causing transmission of the packet of data from the apparatus.
 22. The computer program of claim 21, further comprising: instructions for replacing bits of the unicast MAC address with bits of the IP multicast address.
 23. The computer program of claim 21, wherein-the computer program is compliant with all or part of IEEE standard 802.11, including draft and approved amendments 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11e, 802.11g, 802.11i, 802.11k, 802.11n, 802.11v, and 802.11w.
 24. A wireless packet comprising: a header comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) destination address comprising an IP multicast address, and a Media Access Control (MAC) destination address comprising a MAC unicast address; and a payload. 